Drilling apparatus



E. WHINNEN DRILLING APPARATUS Nov. 22, 1927. 1,649,998

Filed April 3. 1924 #NNUU/HAE Patented Nov. 22, 1927.

UNITED STATES 1,649,998 PATENT OFFICE.

EUGENE WEINN EN, OF LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA, ASSIGNOR TO SULLIVAN MACHIN- EBY COMPANY, A CORPORATION OF MASSACHUSETTS.

DBILLING APPARATUS.

Application led April 3,

My invention relates to drilling apparatus. It has for its objectto provide an improved construction whereby when a bit carrying, liquid supplying rod .line is clogged, the sticking of the bit and rod line, which ordinarily would follow from the cessation of lliquid flow. is minimized. More particularly my invention has for its object to provide an improved means whereby when a core barrel or the like is clogged, a circulation 0f liquid such as water, and more particularly mud fluid, may be maintained along a. considerable portion of the rod line in such manner as to confine the possible resulting sticking to a limitedarea rather than permitting the whole rod line to be stuck as may now result.

In the accompanying drawings I have shown for purposes of illustration one formwhich my invention may assume. In these drawings,-

Fig. 1 is a side elevation of a core barrel. and connected rod line equipped with my improvement, a portion of the rod line being shown in section.

Fig. 2 is an enlarged detail view of the valve mechanism.

In this illustrative construction I have shown a core barrel 1 which may be of any suitable construction carrying a suitable bit 2 on its inner end and connected inany suitable manner as by threading 3 to a rod line 4, improved means hereinafter described being provided whereby the iiuid which ordinarily passes down through the rod line may be by-passed around the portion clogged.

More specifically, I have shown a `valve 5 normally seated on a suitable seat 6 formed in the rod line at a point adjacent the core barrel and herein just above the same and have provided this valve with a fluted shank 7 around which is carried a coiled spring 8 operating against a vtinted abutment 9 suitably attached to the shank, as for example on a reduced portion thereof by a cotter pin 10. In my improved construction the strength of the spring is such that the valve 5 is normaly held closed thereby against the normal pressure of the liquid in the rod line, as for example, mud iiuid supplied by pressure to the core barrel and normally passing through the same and up along the exterior thereof and the rod line to maintaina circulation in the hole. However, the strength of this spring is also such that when for any 1924. Serial No. 703,358.

hole in such manner as by the circulation thus permitted, maintain the rod line from sticking, the core barrel alone thus being susceptible to sticking and its release thus constituting the only problem, as distinguished from the much more difficult problem of releasing the whole rod line and core barrel as would otherwise be necessary.

Attention is here directed to the fact that the valve mechanism as a whole may be located in different positions relative to the length of the rod line and core barrel, my invention herein contemplating any suitable disposition of the same calculated to minimize sticking. It will of course also be understood .that the abutment 9 may be attached to the shank in any suitable manner other than by the Cotter pin construction shown. It will also be evident that the form of valve and valve 'seat may be vav may be modified and. embodied in various other forms without departing from its spirit or the scope of the appended claims.

What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. Drilling apparatus comprising a hollow tool carrying rod line through which' flushing fluid is supplied to the cutting tool, and an automatic relief valve in the rod line controlled directly by abnormal pressure exist# ing within the rod line, said valve acting to permit Huid flow externally of the rod line when ow through the latter to the cutting tool is interrupted.

2. Drilling apparatusI comprising a hollow tool carrying rod line through which Hushing fluid is supplied to the cutting tool, and a. normally closed automatic spring pressed relief valve in the rod line controlled directly by abnormal pressure existing WithinV the rod line. said valve acting to permit Huid iiow externally of the rod line when fiow through the latter to the cutting tool is interrupted. i n

' 3. Drilling apparatus comprising a hollow rod line 'adapted to carry a cutting bit, said rod line being adapted to conduct flushing Huid therethrough to said cutting bit, and an automatic relief Valve in' the rod line controlled directly by abnormal pressure ex isting Within the rodv line and disposed adjacent the bit carrying end of the rod line,

.said valve acting to permit iuid flow externally of the rod line when lowthrough the latter to thecutting tool is interrupted.

4. Drilling apparatus comprising a hollow rod line adapted to carry a cutting tool,l and a relief valve Within the rod line controlled direct-ly by abnormal pressure existent within the rod line, said valve acting to by-pass liquid, around thecutting tool when flow through the latter is interrupted.

5. Drilling apparatus comprising a core barrel carrying rod line and a relief yalve therein operated by abnormal pressurev therein, said Valve acting to by-pass liquid around the core barrel when iow -through the latter is interrupted. Y

6. Core drilling apparatus comprising a cutter bit .carrying core barrel, a hollow rod line connected thereto through which flushing fluid is supplied to the cutting tool, and means in the rod line comprising a normally closed relief Valve operatiye to automatically open communication betweenthe interior of the rod line4 and a space surrounding the latter when pressure in the rod line builds up beyond a predetermined amount', said Valve acting to permit Huid low externally of the rod llne when flow through the latter to the cutting tool is interrupted.

In testimony whereof I aiiix my signature.

EUGENE WHINNEN. 

